Matthew's Gospel is the first
document
in the New Testament - a suitable
location considering some scholars'
opinions (for example, Theodor Zahn and
Ernest Renan) that it is the pre-eminent
piece of literature in antiquity.
What sort of book is it? Who is its
author, and why did he write it? What
historical, literary and theological
contexts influence it? Matthew's Gospel
also tells a story of Jesus, the son of
David the son of Abraham - accordingly
it gives attention to characters, plot
lines, conflicts and resolution - but
the extra dimension is that it also has
an effect upon its reader to direct them
to the Saviour of the world.